It has led many to devotion and, as literature, has contributed to the French language. It is typically categorized as a form of reading known as lectio divina ("divine reading"), based on the Christian monastic practice of spiritual reading. Written over 400 years ago, the Introduction to the Devout Life is still one of the most popular books for those pursuing holiness. How to prepare for temptations Once you are aware of your predominate temptations, let your way of life be altogether opposed to them in thought, word, and deed. This book was like having a saint as your personal spiritual director. When Temptation and Delectation are Sin. OUR LADY: THIS BEAUTIFUL SACRED OBJECT PROTECTS YOUR FAMILY, THIS AMAZING BESTSELLER WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE (ONLY $1! Morning exercise gratitude for the night, firm resolution for the day ahead, review the upcoming day, humble yourself, offer yourself to God. Love poverty and the poor; for by this love you will become truly poor yourself, since we become like to that which we love (167). An Answer to Two Objections which may be made to this Book. While the letters are addressed to "Philothea" (Lover of God), they include the substance of correspondence with others as well as Marie de Charmoisy. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER VII. [8] Plaushin calls this "De Sales' most remarkable gift to the church. CHAPTER XXIV. It is needful to put away all Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things. A keen and attentive realizing of Gods omnipresence. "St.Francis de Sales' Introduction to the Devout Life, 1609-2009", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Introduction_to_the_Devout_Life&oldid=1147852219, Part I: Attaining a Firm Resolution to the Devout Life. * If the temptation continues, hasten in spirit to embrace Jesus crucified on the Cross and promise Him not to yield and ask His aid. PART I. Written as a letter to St. Francis lay cousin, this classic yet relevant text features advice on the questions that members of the Catholic laity often ask themselves, such as: Written by Doctor of the Church St. Francis de Sales to offer sound preaching and clear instruction for Catholics and translated by Matthew K. Minerd to renew Catholics understanding and appreciation of this classic Catholic work,Introduction to the Devout Life promises that it is possible to have an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus, regardless of the demands of everyday life.. The general rules concerning the passions and emotions of our souls is that we should know them by their fruits; our hearts as trees, our affections and passions are the branches, and their actions and deeds the fruit (281). Dive deeper into the world of Narnia with your family, classroom, or small group wit Are you saved? is a common Christian question, but how do Catholics respond? His two masterpieces are Introduction to a Devout Life and the Treatise on the Love of God. How remedy Minor Temptations. [2] It was first published in January 1609. Introduction to the Devout Life enjoyed wide popularity, and was well received in both Protestant and Catholic circles, evidenced by its translation into all major languages of the day. Humans have always been human, who knew? Introduction to the Devout Life (Digital), A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament (Digital), Ignatius Bible (RSV), 2nd Edition - Leather, Ignatius Bible (RSV), 2nd Edition (Digital), The Greatest Philosopher Who Ever Lived (Digital), Incorporating prayer and sacraments into a busy, Making spiritual progress through daily, monthly, and yearly exercises. Live, Jesus! In short, devotion is simply a spiritual activity and liveliness by means of which Divine Love works in us, and causes us to work briskly and lovingly; and just as charity leads us to a general practice of all God's Commandments, so devotion leads us to practise them readily and diligently. CHAPTER IV. What true Devotion is. All our actions must be offered to God. To be purified from all affections of sin, we must have a clear and hearty consciousness of the exceeding evil of sin, by which means we attain deep and earnest contrition (20). How to possess a rich Spirit amid real Poverty. Be not surprised, then, replied the apostle, that I should sometimes remit somewhat of my close application and attention of spirit in order to enjoy a little recreation, that I may afterwards employ myself more fervently in divine contemplation (214). Q. [4], De Sales said, "My purpose is to instruct those who live in town, within families, or at court, and are obliged to live an ordinary life as to outward appearances. It is. To purify yourself from your imperfections. When to use such Amusements rightly. He contends that devotion is not a state necessarily relegated to monks in cloisters, but can be a quality of life to which everyone can aspire. The devout life renders all such actions easy, pleasant, and grateful (6). See all formats and editions. it's hard to move through this book fast. I'd never put it away, it needs to be a regular reference. EXCELLENT BOOK! (3) Go to your confessor. Francis de Sales's Introduction to the Devout Life has remained a uniquely accessible and relevant treasure of devotion for nearly four hundred years. Fresh wounds are always the easiest to heal make immediate reparation for faults. This is a Lenten reading of the spiritual classic, Introduction to the Devout Life, authored by Saint Francis de Sales, and read by Father Rob Ketcham. Advice and encouragement for lay Catholics pursuing a personal relationship with God from a Doctor of the Church. PART IV. I'll be returning to it many times in the future! Subtotal (Discounts are applied at checkout), A Catholic Guide to Narnia: Questions and Activities for the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Are You Saved? On Gentleness towards Ourselves. The final edition was published in 1619, prior to the death of Francis in 1622. Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayer and Holy Thoughts. This should be fitting in regards to the state of life to which God has called you. Let us reflect upon all He has done for us, and all we have done against Him; and as we count over our sins in detail, even so let us count over His mercies (131). This habit of spiritual retirement and ejaculatory prayer is the keystone of devotion, and can supply the defects of all your other prayers; but nothing else can supply its place. Assuredly nothing can so humble us before the compassion of God as the abundance of His mercies; nothing so humble us before His justice as the abundance of our misdeeds. CHAPTER XXXIV. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Introduction to the Devout Life (Im., St. Francis de at the best online prices at eBay! An Introduction to the Devout Life, Part 1 by St. Francis de Sales Publication date 2009-05-31 Usage Public Domain Topics Audiobook - Nonfiction, Religion, spirituality How ordinary people in any walk of life can begin a life of deeper love of God, through making prayer and service a part of their everyday routines. (LogOut/ (5) Be courageous and patient increase your good works. A message from theCatholic Classics podcast hosts:St. Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession. CHAPTER XIX. The historical record suggests that her name was Louise, but somewhere around 2015, scholars start referring to her as Marie) The correspondence began when Madame de Charmoisy, in Annecy, confided to Francis her desire for piety amidst the struggles and distractions associated with life at court. CHAPTER IX. The Necessity of Purging away all tendency to Venial Sins. Part III, Chapter 18 prev: next Such foolish attachments between man and woman without any matrimonial intentions as are called amourettes,--mere abortions, or rather phantoms of friendship,--must not, idle and empty as they are, profane the name of friendship or love. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER VI. If there ever was a much required and sincere "how-to" guide to bring people back to God while also repairing the interior damage of the self as a result of environment, people and inborn human flaws, Introduction to the Devout Life would be and is, very high on the list, for as he gloriously writes on page 291: "Such are the joys that lure my sight,/All pains grow sweet, all labors light. The necessity of a spiritual guide for progress in the devout life The path of humble obedience and full trust that God is working fully through him. CHAPTER VIII. St. John the Evangelist, as Cassian relates, amusing himself one day with a partridge on his hand, was asked by a huntsman: How such a man as he could spend his time in so unprofitable a manner? Always entertain a sincere hatred of the sins you confess, even though they be trifling, and a heartfelt resolution to amend Accuse yourself honestly and simply of the special omission or commission (104). Nothing aggravates evil and hinders good so much as anxiety and worry. Aspirations, Ejaculatory Prayers, and Holy Thoughts Do not fail to long frequently for God by short but ardent efforts of your heart (87). If your virtue is deeply rooted you can enter into unimportant activities out of charitys sake but be careful if you are only starting out on this path. The devout life is a lovely, a pleasant, and a happy life (6). Introduction to the Devout Life (Catholic Classics) $ 29.95 Quantity Add to cart Introduction This beautiful book provides inspiration and guidance for all Catholics to deepen their personal relationship with God while living out their unique vocation. Persevere in this blessed undertaking of a devout life . Even if you resisted, have you taken pleasure in the temptation? Receive Jesus in Holy Communion. You will always find His eyes fixed upon you with unchangeable love (84). The Eternal Love of God for us. Be careful and diligent in work but never hurried or anxious. Charles Borromeo had a great influence on Francis de Sales because of his pastoral approach to bringing devotion to the Christian in the world. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Of the Difference between True and False Friendship. Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1877, St. Francis is still helping to form saints through his many writings, of which Introduction to the Devout Life is the most famous. Fr. CHAPTER III. A seminal work of faith. This is one of the few books that "stays on my nightstand." If we persevere, we shall gradually, by the help of His grace, learn to speak, to act and will like Him (61). Advice to married persons there is no union so precious and so fruitful between husband and wife as that of holy devotion, in which they should mutually lead each and sustain each other it is truly a blessed state in which the faithful husband and wife sanctify one another in the sincere fear of the Lord (235). We must attend to the Business of Life carefully, but without Eagerness or Over-anxiety. The "Introduction" is composed of five parts or "books", each pertaining to a stage in the Christian's spiritual journey. Pursuing a devout life whole-heartedly Sketch of the Life of St. Francis of Sales v A Dedicatory Prayer xiii The Author's Preface xv PART THE FIRST CONTAINING THE COUNSELS AND EXERCISES NECESSARY FOR CONDUCTING THE SOUL FROM ITS FIRST DESIRE FOR THE DEVOUT LIFE TO A FULL RESOLUTION TO EMBRACE IT I. Written for Christians in every walk of life and for every age, the book transcends secular lines and provides for a unique handbook of spiritual reflection for people in the world. If you are looking to deepen your faith, understand your faith, this book is for you! sdegutis CHAPTER XVII. That is the gist of this work; for those individuals (which would indeed, unfortunately, be a large numer) who are not destined for a religious vocation or a life of monastic contemplation, the lessons contained within the Introduction to the Devout Life (if at least minutely adhered to) can become a moral and religious compass for individuals who are frightfully lost as a result of the freewheeling sexualization of society, unrepentant, insolent amour propre, the rise of unceasing materialism and other debasing wounds that can cause spiritual deadness and thus can become none too quick to heal. As Bishop of Geneva in the first quarter of the seventeenth century, Francis de Sales saw to the spiritual needs of everyone from the poorest peasants to court ladies. Get help and learn more about the design. Anxiety anxiety is the souls greatest enemy, sin only excepted. CHAPTER XXII. Evening exercise gratitude, examination, offer to God yourself, ask for protection. De Sales explained: "I address my words to Philothea, since I wish to direct what was first written to one person alone to the general benefit of many souls; "[3], Unlike many other writings in this category, it is distinguished by addressing itself to all Christians in any state of life, rather than to just those who have been called to a religious vocation. The First Purification, namely, from Mortal Sin. (4) Holy submission to God Abandon yourself entirely to Gods Providence, willing that He should do what He will with you amidst your thorns and your desires (286). prev : next . 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